Concrete block construction



H. M. KNIGHT.

CONCRETE BLOCK CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 6, 1914.

1,353,046. Patented'Sept. 14,1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l- WITNESSES: .5 I I INVENTQR Fi i! hi h/(W 1 Wm -WATTORNEYS H. M. KNIGHT.

CONCRETE BLOCK CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 6, I914.

1,353,046. PatentedSept.14,1920.

a SHEEfS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR WM, 79 Fig/5. M,

N F] hwmllkgm ATTO R'N EYS FEE H. M KNIGHT.

CONCRETE BLOCK CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 6, I914.

1,353,046a Y PatentedSept. M, 1920.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

FIE.

WITNESSES: g1, INVENTOR ATTORNEYS nnirsn s'r'i ssc To all whom it mayconcern:

HERBERT M. KNIGHT, or aoivin. NEW YO K.

CONCRETE BLOCK CONSTRUCT ON.

Be it known that I, HERBERT M. KNIGHT, of Rome, in the county of Oneidaand State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsinv Concrete Block -Construction; and I do hereby declarethatthe'following is afull, clear, and exact description thereof, which willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same, reference being had.

to the accompanying drawings, and to the reference-numerals markedthereon, which form part of this specification.

My present invention'relates to construction work with made concreteblocks,- including constructions where the blocks constitute ture.

A further purpose of my invention is to provide a new and improvedpattern. or

shape for such blocks in combination with 00- operating keys and to makesaid blocks and keys of such form and of such relation to each other asto provide a concrete block construction the parts of which are simpletomanufacture, easily and quickly assembled and permanently and stronglybound together.

Another purpose is to so form the blocks 1 and their cooperating keysthat they may be combined together or used with mass concrete in a greatvariety of ways and shapes with aminimum of different shapes and sizesof units or blocks and yet where necessary be capable of being made ingreat variety but with remarkable adaptability for. cooperating witheach other.

Yet another purpose of my invention is-to provide such a form ofconcrete block c'onstruction'that'the blocks may be adjusted'to' anypoint longitudinally of each other without impairing the operation orefliciency of the means used to hold the blocks together or to the massconcrete. Such adjustment makes possible or facilitates correctassembling of the blocks especially where they are wall.

used to form otherthan ajplairi or blank Application filedApril 6, 1914.Serial No. 829,757.

Specification of Letters Patented 14,1920,

v Another object of this invention is to provide a form of concreteblock construction that has means for preliminarily holding the blockstogether and permanently clamping.

Aren't sis.

them together and to the mass concrete fill-- I ing or backing withoutat any time engaging or obstructing the outer face of the blocks.

This feature is important where the outer face is specially orornamentally finished or decorated sinceany means engaging such asurface is apt to injure it. Furthermore a constant view ofthespeciallyfinished or decorated face materiallyaids in correctlyplacing and arranging the blocks so finished. Figure 1 is a horizontalsectional view of the corner of'a wall of concrete block'constructionembodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectionalview on 2-2 ofFig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a back view or elevation '-'of an ordinary'form of concreteblock used in constructing concrete structures according to myinvention. v i

Fig; 4 is an end elevation of the'block shown in Fig. 3.' we

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view on line 55 of Fig.3. Y

Fig. 6 is a horlzontal section'on' line 6 6 of Fig. 3.

Fig; 7 is a crosssectional view on an enlarged scale through areinforcedconcrete key and the cooperating recesses in two ado ningblocks.

Fig. 8 is aside view of a strip of concrete according to my invention;

Fig. 9 1s a top view -of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a side view of a section of metal in Figs. 8 and 9. I

Fig. 11 is a cross sect onal view on l ne F ig.12 is a cross sectionalview through a ing my invention.

Fig. 13 is a cross sectional view through another form of rectangularpillar,beam or conduit.

Fig. 14: is' a horizontal sectional view of a. wall embodying myinvention, the same bekey utilized in concrete block construction v thekey shown in '95 reinforcement such as used in the key shown"rectangular pillar, bea nor conduit embodying so constructed by'the useof cross blocks p at intervals between the exterior and interior seriesof concrete blocks as to produce a cellular or curtainwallconstructionor a wall that is alternately solid and hollow.

Fig. 15 is an isometrical view of a wall F ig. 18 is a side View of thetying means shown in Fig 17.

F1g. 19 is an isometrical View on an enlarged scale of a portion of twoblocks such as used. for the interior series of the conduit shown in Fig17.

Fig. 20 is a cross sectional View through a circular pillar constructedaccording to my invention. v

Fig. 21 is a cross sectional view of a conduit constructed of concreteblocks and embodying my invention.

Fig. 22 is a diametrical sectional view on a line vertical as comparedto Fig. 21.

Fig. 23 is a view of the edge or narrow side of a length of curvedconcrete key used in such constructions as illustrated in Figs. 21 and22.

Fig. 24 is a cross sectional view through Fig. 23.

Fig. 25 is a cross sectional view of a system of conduits or ductsconstructed according to my invention.

Fig. 26 is a cross sectional view of another form of conduits orsewersembodying my invention. I V v Fig. 27 1s a horizontal sectionalview through a wall constructed according to my invention and showingthe exterior'surface of the wall provided with inlaid work orornamentation. 6

Fig. 28 is a vertical sectional view on line 28-28 of Fig. 27.

Fig. 29 is a side elevation of the wall shown in Figs. 2'? and 28.

trating the application of my invention in the product1on of curtainwall construction.

F10. 31 IS a cross sectional view on an en- .la'rged scale of a nailingstrip used in connection with the curtain wall or similar constructionas shown in Fig.

Figs. 82 and 33 are cross sectional views of a modified or compositeform of key first as the halves of said key are assembled in therecessesof blocks and in Fig. 33 as the blocks and halves of the key are broughtto- .gethor into locking position.

Referring to the drawings in a more particular description, themanufactured or Fig. 30 is a transverse sectional View illusvenienceofreference will be called top and bottom edges44 and 45 respectively andend edges 46. It will be obvious that these terms may cease to be as aptwhen the blocks are turned about or are in other than perpendicularposition or when'the blocks are modified in shape to adapt them forspecial purposes or places, but on the whole the above terms will beapplicable and not misleading.

-The blocks 41 have in their end contact edges 46 and also preferably intheir top and bottom contact edges 44 and-45, recesses 48 having theirsides 49 undercut or tapering from each other as the recess extends intothe block. These recesses extend longitudinally of the various contactedges of the block and are so placed that when two blocks are broughttogether in desired way the adjacent or engaging contact edges will havetheir recesses 48 in alinement with eachother. Rigid concrete keys 50are provided of a shape adapted to fit said alined recesses 48 andadapted to be inserted longitudinally therein and hold said blocks frombeing drawn apart except by longitudinal movement of one or both of saidblocks or of said hey relative to each other. 7

Preferably therecesses and their keys will be in cross section of theshape clearlyin dicated in Fig. 7, thatis with the doubleheaded'dovetail of the key 50 engaging the undercut oppositelydisposedrece sses 48 but it will be understood that this feature may bemodified to various forms of rigid locking key longitudinally insertedin appropriate undercut recesses without departing from the spirit of myinvention.

For some classes of concrete block construction these recesses 48 may beprovided only on opposite end edges 46 of the blocks and for other formsof construction the recesses may be provided only upon the top andbottom edges 44 and 45; but for many forms of construction theserecesses will be provided upon all said contact edges, namely both ends46, and top and bottom edges 44 and This fully recessed block can thenbe keyed to the blocks adjacent thereto on all four edges. Forconvenience in making and assembling the fully recessed blocks I preferto have the recesses extend the full length of the opposite end edges 46of the block but have the recesses extend only through a part, usuallythe central part of the top and bottom edges 44 and 45 respectively.

In order to give ample width of bearing 6 in Fig. 20, in thesegmentalblocks 53 used for the outercasing of conduits, illustrated in Fig. 17and in the modified form of rectangular blocks 55 shown in Fig. 12 theribs will project inwardly; while in the semicircular blocks 56 andsegmental blocks 57 used to form conduits or sewers and the like or theinner casing thereof as'shown respectively in 'Figs.' 2'1 and 22and'Fig. 17, the ribs 51 project outwardly. In general the ribs, as faras they are used simply to increase the contact surface at the engagingedges of the blocks, are projected in such a direction as will leastinterfere with the function of the structure. 4

In block wall construction using mass concrete filling 58 the ribs 51are projected inwardly of the wall on both exterior and interior blocksnot only to maintain aneven surface on theioutside and inside of'theultimate wall but also to enable the concrete filling 58 when it sets toclamp adjacent blocks to one another permanently by en gaging innersides 59 ofthe ribs 51of adjacent blocks and also to enable saidconcrete filling 58 to permanently clamp the several blocks permanentlyto the mass concrete by the semi-fluid concrete entering and securing alocking engagement with the undercut inner sides 59' of said ribs 51 bywhich is in 'cluded a tapering inner side as inFig. 16 or an inner side59 provided with channels "or pockets 60. By the term inner side 59 of;the rib 51 is meantthe face of the ribope; posite the face thereof thatforms part of.

the contact edge of the block.

Furthermore the inwardly projecting ribs 5l with their inner sides 59affordefi'ectiveplaces for the attachment to said exterior and interiorseries of blocks, of concrete. cross blocks 62 which are both tying .and

bracing members for said exterior and interior series of blocksatdesired intervals.

I mentioned, it being understood that the en- These cross blocks 62 havein theirengaging or contact edges undercut recesses 48 as hereinbeforedescribed to receive rigid keys 50in conjunction with oppositelydisposed andalined similar recesses 18 in the said" inner sides 59 ofribs 51. These cross blocks may be relatively narrow and paced apart asindicated in Fig. 2, thus-allowing the" mass concrete to freely surroundthem, or.

they may be wide and used to form a partie It will be understood thatfor ordinary construction a slip orfilling'of thin con-; crete 63 willbe used to entirely fill theslight space, that may remain at differentpoints between the concrete key 50 .and the sides of. the recesses 48 inorder to obtain Ia more rigid permanent hold and in order to bind theconcrete-key 50 and the vblocks engaged thereby into one homogeneousmass.-v

The rigid keys 50 will be formedo-f the proper size and proportion tofit the oppo sitely disposed recesses 48 and will for con-ivenlen'ce inmanufacture and handling be formed of considerable length but adapted tobe easily separated into sections of de sired length through beingprovided: with encircling grooves'or nicks 64' at intervals along thelength of the =manufactured key;

In this .way a key of considerable length may be manufactured at onetime'and handled as one piece, but divided up-into twoor more sectionsof desired length as requlred upon the construction in hand.

Preferably in order to obtain sufficient tensile strength between thetwo dovetailed shaped halves of the key 50 said concrete key will beprovided with metal reinforcement 65 which reinforcement is conveniently and preferably formed in cross section to be of the usual I-beamtype and will be so placed in the manufactured concrete key 50 as tohave lltS opposite-flanges 66 in opposite halves of the concrete keywhile its connecting web 67 will extend from one half of the key .intothe other through its narrowed or thinnest section.- v

Furthermore in order to allow this metal reinforcement to be as light aspossible and to grasp the concrete as strongly as possible, apertures 68are provided in the web 67 of the metalreinforoement 65. A convenientWay offorming and using this metal reinfactured keys 50 but with thesections 69 spaced a short distance from each other in the.key'as'indicatedin dotted lines in Figs, j

8 and 9. This construction sufiiciently'reinforces the keys and enablesthem to be. separated into short. sections as hereto-fore,

circling grooves or nicks 64 will be placed r at those points in thelength of the key where the sections 69 of the reinforcement do not;come. keys'may be readily separated intosections without having to cutthrough the metal rewhile the reinforced key is being made the In thisway'the reinforced sections 69 of such reinforcement may be providedwith projecting feet 70 which will support the section of reinforcementat the proper place in the mold.

In order to aid in preliminarily alining the concrete blocksthey, may beprovided with a shallow groove 71 upon their upper or top edge 44 andwith a correspondingly shaped and sized tongue 72 on the bottomopportunity for conveniently attaching to said blocks tying means 7 5 or74 as indicated for instance in Figs. 14, 15, 17 and 18.. l

Where curved blocks are used as in Figs. 21 and 22 and are connected attheir ends by keys fitting into alined recesses it will be ap parentthat these recesses will follow the curve'of the block and will needkeys of a similar curve. Such curved keys 50 are shown in Fig. 23 andtheir position immediately prior to being inserted into these curvingrecesses is shown in Fig. 21.

It will be evident that my invention may be adapted. to secure corbel ormolding courses to the exterior surface of a wall by providing anundercut recess in the outer face of the blocks forming the exteriorportion of the wall and that by means of this exteriorly facing recess48 the molding or corbel courses may be secured in the way iereinbeforedescribed for. the ordinary cooperating blocks. Similarly cornicecourses may be secured to the wall as shown in Fig. 15.

If such a molding or corbel course is to be aflixed to the exterior of awall opposite the engaging edges of two blocks the said two exteriorfaces may together form the equivalent of the usual undercut recess bymeans of recessessuch as 48 illustrated in Fig. 16 so that when theengaging wall blocks are in place a proper recess is formed to receiveone-half of the usual double dovetailed key 50.

It will be apparent from an inspection of Figs. 27 to 29 that myinvention-is particularly applicable in concrete block constructionwhere the exterior face of the structure is specially finished orprovided with ornamental work or has inlaid work thereupon since it willbe apparent that the structure can be assembled and completed without atany time requiring the engagement of any false work or forms againstsaid special outside surface and without such outside sur- I face beingengaged by permanent or preliminary holding or clamping means.Furthermore as thisouter'surface is at all times exposedto observationthe blocks can be laid. up with muchgreater precision and can beaccurately adjusted in order to maintain the pattern or the alineinentofiornae are each composed of ahead 75 and'a lug. 76 projectingtherefrom and out through thev reduced opening. of the recess 48 inwhich the head 7 5 is held. The sections 50 and 50 are adapted to beinserted longitudinally into the recesses 48 and be held therein exceptagainst similar longitudinal movement.

The key is locked together by moving the sections thereof and theircontaining blocks toward each other relatively or from they positionshown in Fig. 32 to the position shown in Fig. 33, during which movementcatch faces 77 and 78' on the lugs 76 of see.-

tion 50 and section50 -respectively will be brought into engagement witheach other. Inclined faces 7 9 in heads 75 engaging the ends of lugs 76may be so arranged. as to force the lugs toward each other as the twosections of the'key are brought lug-side on to each other.

In Figs- 30 and 31 of my invention. It is often desirable to construct aconcrete wall or other structure and provide the same with an interiorsur- 'face or layer of another material.

facing or sheathing 80 of woodor other.

is illustrated a construction embodying a further modification materialupon the concrete wall by means of nailing strips 81 secured to saidblocks by engagement with some of the recesses 48 upon said blocks. Itwill be noticed that all the blocks shown in Fig. 30 except the crossblocks 62 are of one form though of slightly different proportions, inthat all of the blocks have the ordinary undercut. recesses 48 in theirengaging sides 46 and upon the inner side 59 of their offset ribs 51.Block 41 is used and connected in the usual Way namely by engagingadjacent blocks 41 by 'means of keys 50 inserted in oppositely dis posedrecesses and by engaging cross block's 130"- position of block 41receive the interior sur* 7 facing 80 both upon the edge and the broadface of the nailing strips 81. It will beob vious from this showing anddescription that the concrete blocks of standard form may thus beinterchangeably used in various positions and their several recessesused interchangeable either to receive the keys 50 or the tongue of anailing strip as may be required from the position of the block in thestructure.

What I claim as new and desire to secure V grooves ,of the ribs, anddouble dove-tail by Letters Patent is: I r I 1. In a buildingconstruction, a plurality of blocks having inwardly extending ribs,registering dove-tail grooves formed in the abutting surfaces of theinwardly extending ribs, a double dove-tail key in the double dove-tailgroove, said ribs being also provided with other grooves positioned and.adapted to interengage with a cementitious filler.

2. In abuilding construction, blocks having inwardly extending "ribs,dove-tail grooves formed in the abutting surfaces of the ribs, doubledove-tail keys inserted in the registering dove-tail grooves, saidinwardly extending ribs being also provided with openings adaptedtoengage a binder.

3. In a buildingconstruction, blocks dis: ,posed in a vertical plane andprovided with inwardly extending ribs upon their vertical and horizontalsides, said ribs being prO- vided with dove-tail grooves, and othersimilar blocks having similarly inturned abutting ribs provided withsimilar registering dove-tail grooves, and double dove-tail keysinserted in the registering dove-tail grooves.

42. In a building construction, opposed face blocks having inwardlyturned ribs extending toward the opposite block, dove-tail groovesformed in the surfaces of said inwardly extending ribs, and cross blocksinterposed between the opposed faceblocks, said cross blocks beingprovided with dove? tail grooves registering with the dove-tail keysinserted in the registering dove-tail grooves. Y 7

In witness whereof I have afiixed my signature, in the presence'of twowitnesses, this 1st dayof April, 1914. g

' HERBERT M. KNIGHT.

Witnesses: V

HAimm'r WILLIAMS,

I STO E. I

